Automatic pipe-wrench.



L. KNOX.

AUTOMATIC PIPE WRENCH. APPLICATION FILED FEB- 27. 1915.

1,153,694.. PatentedSept. 14, 1915.

him/111 cOLUmum PLANDGRAPH $0.,WASHINOTON. D. C.

LEWIS KNOX, OF QUEEN JUNCTION, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC PIPE-WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentnd Sept, 14, @3115 Application filed February 27 1915. Serial No. 11,034.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lnwrs KNOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Queen Junction, in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Pipe-Wrenches, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in wrenches, and has for its object to provide a pipe wrench which embodies novel features of construction whereby it can be readily applied to a pipe and then manipulated in the necessary manner for screwing the pipe into or out of position without the necessity for releasing the grip upon the pipe and taking a fresh grip thereon each time the handle is reciprocated back and forth.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a pipe wrench of this character which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which can be quickly applied to a pipe and manipulated in the usual manner, which will enable a pipe to be screwed into or out of position without mutilating the same, and which comprises few and durable parts such as are not liable to get out of repair and will suecessfully withstand the hard usage to which such tools are ordinarily subjected.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which a Figure 1 is a top plan view of awrench constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the parts as assembled in the positions assumed when operating upon a pipe or the like. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the blocks removed from the ratchet wheel and the rings of the stock. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1. ,Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View of one of the blocks applied to one of the rings of the stock, portions being broken away and shown in section. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4. 7

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated wrench. One end of the handle is bifurcated, each arm of the bifurcation being in the form of a ring 2, sald rlngshaving corresponding openings in one side thereof and the said openings being normally closed by removable blocks 3. Any suitable form of latch means may be utilized for retaining the blocks in position within the openings. In the present instance. the blocks 3 are shown as provided at opposite ends thereof with slidable plungers 4 which are adapted to be projected into engagement with recesses 5 formed in the end walls of the side openings of the rings 2. Springs 6 engage the latch bolts 4: and normally tend to pro ject the same into operative position. The inner ends of the latch bolts 4 are offset from each other and loosely connected to opposite ends of a transverse lever 7 which is pivoted at an intermediate point upon a pivot bolt 8, one end of the said bolt projecting from the top of the block 3 and terminating in a suitable handle or finger piece 9. The springs 6 normally hold the latch bolts 4 in a projected position although by turning the handle 9 and swinging the transverse lever 7 the two latch bolts 4 can be simultaneously withdrawn into inoperative position for the purpose of placing the block 3 into position'or removing it therefrom. V

A ratchet wheel 10 is journaled between the arms of the bifurcated end of the stock 1. The periphery of the wheel 10 is pro vided with ratchetteeth 11 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 12 arranged at the base of the bifurcation of the stock and pivotally mounted upon the pin 13. Any suitable spring 14: may be provided for holding the pawl 12 normally in a yielding engagement with the peripheral teeth 11 of the ratchet wheel 10. The ratchet wheel 10 is provided with a central opening 1 5 having a pair of oppositely disposed curved end walls 15 which are concentric with the center of the wheel and a pair of opposed straight walls 15*. Extending around the central opening 15 on each side of the ratchet wheel 10 is an "outwardly projecting hub portion or boss 16, said bosses being received within the reinto a projected position.

spective rings 2 so as to rotate thereinand provide a bearing for the ratchet wheel.

One side of the ratchet wheel 10 is provided with an opening which is normally filled by a removable block 17 and which corresponds to the before mentioned side openings of the rings 2. The outer end of the block is provided with ratchet teeth 17 corresponding withthe ratchet teeth 11 of the wheel 10, while the inner end of the block normally extends flush with one of the straight or flat sides 15 of the opening 15 so as to close the said opening. In order to connected to opposite ends of a transverse lever 21 which is mounted at an intermediate point in its length upon a pivot bolt 22, one end of the bolt projecting beyond the block where it is provided with a finger piece 23. With this construction it will be obvious that by turning the finger piece 23 and swinging the transverse lever 21 the latch bolts 18 can be withdrawn for the purpose of placing the block in position or removing it therefrom, although as soon as thefinger piece is released the latch bolts will be again projected outwardly into operative position by the action of the springs 19.

The opening 15 of the ratchet wheel 10 is provided with a pair of opposed jaws 24, the rear faces of the jaws being curved in a manner to correspond with the curved sides 15 of the opening 15, while the outer faces of the jaws are substantially straight and provided with the teet-h25. Projecting rearwardly from each of the jaws 24: isa stem 26 which is slidably received withina radial opening 27 of the ratchet wheel 10. These stems26 are threaded and are engaged by nuts 28 which are seated within recesses or slots formed in the wheel 10 and intersecting the radial openings 27. With this construction it will be obvious that by rotating the nuts 28 the jaws 2e can-be bodily moved inwardly and outwardly so as to be brought closerctogether or moved farther apart, as

may be necessary to grip the particular piece of pipe being operated upon. The sides of the nuts 28 project slightly beyond the faces vof the ratchet wheel 10 and may be provlded with small projections 29 so that they can tory to applying the tool tothe pipe. When the wheel 10 is rotated to bring the radial opening thereof into registry with the side openings of the rings 2, a pipe can be moved through the openings into the central opening 15 of the ratchet wheel. The blocks '3 and 17 are then replaced andthe jaws 2 moved inwardly so as to grip the pipe. By reciprocating the handle 1 theratchet Wheel 10 may then be rotated so as to screw the pipe either into or out of-position, as may be desired. The jaws 24 retain their original grip upon the pipe untilafter the oper ation has been completed and it is desired to remove the wrench from the pipe, thereby preventing the mutilation of the pipe which is usually incident to the operation of'those wrenches in which the jaws take a fresh grip upon the pipe each time the handle'is'reciprocated. The wrench can be quickly applied to or removed from a pipe and after the pipe has once been gripped thereby it can be slipping upon and failing to grip thepipe.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 1 1. A ratchet wrench including a handle readily rotated without danger of the jaws having a ring at one end thereof, said ring l' being formed with a side opening through which a pipe or the like can be, inserted, a ratchet wheel ournaled upon the ring and formed with a central opening, said ratchet wheel being also provided with a side opening corresponding to theside opening of the ring and adapted to be brought into reg istry .the rewith, a block fitted removably within the side opening, spring pawl.

mounted upon the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheel, and vjaws mounted upon the ratchet wheel so as to act upon apipe or like'member in the central opening thereof. i

2. A ratchet wrenclrincluding handle side opening of the ratchet wheel, spring latch means for holdingthe block in position therein, and a pawl mounted upon the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheel. .c e a 3. A ratchet wrench including a handle having a ringat one end thereof, saidring being formed with a side opening-a ratchet wheel journaled upon the ring and provided with a central opening, said ratchet wheel being also formed with a side opening corresponding to the side opening of the ring and adapted to be rotated into registry therewith for the purpose of moving a pipe into or out of the central opening ofthe ratchet wheel, a block fitted removably within the side opening of the ratchet wheel, spring actuated latch'bolts slidably mounted upon the block for engagement with the ratchet wheel to hold the block in position, means for simultaneously retracting the latch bolts to remove the block or replace it in position, jaws mounted upon the ratchet wheel for engagement with a pipe or like member in the central opening thereof, and a pawl mounted upon the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheel.

4-. A ratchet wrench including a handle having a ring at one end thereof, said ring being formed with a side opening, a ratchet wheel journaled upon the ring and formed with a peripheral row of teeth, said ratchet wheel being provided with a central opening and also with a side opening adapted to be rotated into registry with the side opening of the ring for the purpose of moving a pipe into or out of the central opening of the ratchet wheel, a block fitted removably within the side opening of the ratchet wheel and provided with teeth arranged to form a continuation of the teeth thereof, jaws mounted upon the ratchet wheel and arranged to grip a pipe or like member in the central opening thereof, and a pawl mounted upon the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheel.

5. A ratchet wrench including a handle having a pair of spaced rings at one end thereof, said rings being formed with side openings, a ratchet wheel arranged between the rings and formed upon opposite sides thereof with hub portions which are journaled within the rings, said ratchet wheel being formed with a central opening and also with a side opening corresponding to the side openings of the rings and adapted to be rotated into registry therewith for the purpose of moving a pipe or like member into or out of the central opening of the ratchet wheel, a block fitted removably within the side opening of the ratchet wheel, jaws mounted upon the ratchet wheel for engagement with a pipe or like member within the central opening thereof, and a pawl mounted upon the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheel.

6. A ratchet wrench including a handle having a pair of spaced rings at one end thereof, said rings being formed with side openings, a ratchet wheel arranged between the rings and provided upon opposite sides thereof with hub portions which are journaled Within the rings, said ratchet wheel having a peripheral row of teeth and being formed with a central opening and a side opening adapted to be rotated into registry with the side openings of the rings for the purpose'of moving a pipe or like member into the central opening of the ratchet wheel, a block fitted within the side opening of the ratchet'wheel and formed with teeth arranged to provide a continuation of the peripheral teeth of the ratchet wheel, latch means for holding the block removably in position, jaws mounted upon the ratchet wheel to grip a pipe or like member in the central opening thereof, and a pawl mounted upon the handle for engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

7. A ratchet wrench including a handle provided with a pair of spaced rings at one end thereof, said rings being formed with side openings, a ratchet wheel arranged between the rings and formed upon opposite sides thereof with hub portions which are j ournaled within the rings, said ratchet wheel having a peripheral row of teeth and being provided with a central opening and also with a side opening adapted to be rotated into registry with the side openings of the rings to admit of a pipe or the like being moved into or out of the central opening of the ratchet wheel, a block fitted removably within the side opening of the ratchet wheel, latch means for retaining the block removably in position, said block being provided with teeth arranged to form a continuation of the teeth of the ratchet wheel, blocks fitted removably within the side openings of the rings, latch means for retaining the said blocks in position, jaws mounted upon the ratchet wheel and arranged to grip a pipe or like member in the central opening thereof, and a pawl mounted upon the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheel.

8. A ratchet wrench including a handle having a ring at one end thereof, said rings being formed with a side opening, a ratchet wheel journaled upon the ring and formed with a central opening and also with a side opening leading to the central opening and adapted to be rotated into engagement with the side opening of the ring for the purpose of moving a pipe or like member into or out of the central opening of the ratchet wheel, jaws arranged upon opposite sides of the opening of the ratchet wheel, threaded stems projecting rearwardly from the jaws, nuts carried by the ratchet wheel and engaging the stems of the jaws to move the jaws in and out, a block fitted removably within the side opening of the ratchet wheel, and a pawl mounted upon the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheel.

9. A ratchet wrench including a handle provided at one end thereof with a pair of spaced rings formed with corresponding side openings, a ratchet wheel arranged between t e spaced rings and provided upon opposite sides thereof with hub portions journaled Within the rings, said ratchet wheel being formed with a' central opening and also with a side opening leading to the central opening and adapted to be rotated into registry with the side openings of the rings to admit of a pipe or like member being moved into or out of the central opening of the ratchet wheel, jaws arranged upon opposite sides of the central opening of the ratchet wheel, threaded stems projecting rearwardly from the jaws, nuts carried by Copies of this patent may be obtained for the ratchet wheel and engagingthe threaded mounted upon the handle for engagement with, the ratchet wheel.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' LEWIS KNOX. Witnesses:

MARTHA KNOX, CARL H. STARR.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

